I Won! I Won! The Million Dollar Body Success Story Contest!

Dear Boys and Girls,

It's truly rare that I am at a loss for words, but right now I think I'm just too overwhelmed to make sense of my thoughts and feelings. Yet, I'm dying to share my joy and gratitude, so let's give it a go!

Every time I have gone to the message boards since my win was announced at midnight last night, I start to cry! What a mess! Oops, I feel it coming on again! I think I choke up because 1. I know that for me, the real change really began when I began lurking on my friend "Margarita's" thread and posting on my coach TheFitDoc's Slim in 6 thread. It's like I went in one day ready for change, but a bit insecure and afraid to post and returned last night feeling like a victor! I don't know how else to describe it right now. 2. I recognize that this journey has been one that I didn't take alone. The people that I coach and the men and women on my thread may think that I have helped them on their fitness journey, but they have no idea how this role of "leader" has helped me in my own journey. Give and you shall receive. Omg, have I received tenfold!

The day I became I coach, on September 17, 2007, I remember thinking "I have got to practice what I preach. I have got to be a role model." For the past year and a half, I have tried to do just that to the best of my ability. It's been an amazing journey--with ups and downs that have been documented both on my blog and on the forums--and one that has just begun for me.

I say it all the time, but I know this is only the beginning for me. It is truly only up from here.

To my coach Kevin, to my friends on the Slim Spot, to my boyfriend Jason, to the BeachBody Community, to my coachees, to my Team: Thank you for being in this most awesome journey with me!

Bring it!

Barbie, PhD